Lesson 2 (Oct 5-11), "Heaven" on Earth"

What makes heaven, heaven? 

The First "Sanctuary" on Earth

1. If God dwelled on this earth, would it be heaven? Is He more present in some places (as in church) than others, or equally everywhere? 
2. Why did God not leave Eden on earth so that humans could always see what they had lost and repent? 

Copy of the Pattern

1. What made the Israelite tabernacle unique among all the tents for the gods that many ancient peoples of the middle east had? 
2. How can we call the Hebrew tabernacle a model of the heavenly when other Canaanites also had tabernacles? What unique truths did the Israelite one teach?

Jesus as the Sanctuary

1. How many of the things of the earthly sanctuary symbolized Jesus?
2. How did the presence of Jesus on earth fulfil the purpose of the sanctuary?

The Church as the Sanctuary

1. In what ways is the church similar to the tabernacle? In what ways is it different?
2. Does corruption in the church drive away the presence of God? What about in the Old Testament sanctuary? 
3. Is the platform of the church more holy than the main floor?  
4. Is the divine service more holy than Sabbath School or AY?

New Creation

1. In the new earth why do we have to live in the city (New Jerusalem), instead of a garden (Eden)?
2. Will we need to go to church in the new earth?
3. How can we arrive at the right balance in not making the heavenly sanctuary neither too symbolic, nor too literal?